Metso Paper will rebuild Norske Skog's two paper machines in Bruck, Austria and Halden, Norway. The rebuilds will be concluded in March 2004. The total value of the orders is approximately EUR 22 million.
In Austria, Metso Paper will supply the Bruck mill a wet end rebuild for a LWC paper machine (PM 4), including a headbox and a wire selection. The machine has wire width of 7.15 meters, and it was originally supplied by Beloit in 1989. The modernization will improve the paper quality and increase the production.
Metso Paper will also modernize a SC paper machine (PM 6) at the Saugbrug mill in Halden, Norway. The delivery will include a headbox and changes to the dryer section. The machine, with 9.4 meter wire width, was originally supplied by Valmet in 1993. The modernization will improve the production capacity of the machine.
Norske Skog is the world's second largest producer of publication paper, with 23 wholly and partly owned mills in 15 countries on five continents. Its operating revenue in 2002 was NOK 23.5 billion (EUR 2.9 billion).
Metso Corporation is a global supplier of process industry machinery and systems, as well as know-how and aftermarket services. The corporation's core businesses are fiber and paper technology (Metso Paper), rock and mineral processing (Metso Minerals) and automation and control technology (Metso Automation). In 2002, the net sales of Metso Corporation were EUR 4.7 billion and the personnel totaled approximately 28,500. Metso Corporation is listed on the Helsinki and New York Stock Exchanges.